Throwback

Despite the occurrence of shipping in the Aegean since the 9th Millennium BC, only during the Neolithic era (6800-3200 b.c.) the Aegean Islands were inhabited. First traces of social life in Paros Island, in Saliagko between PAROS and Antiparos, that displays one of the oldest settlements of the prehistoric Aegean (5-4 Millennium BC).

Bronze age (3200-1100 b.c.)

The bronze age (3200-1100 BC) appear in Greece three great cultures: the Cycladic (3200-2000 BC), Minoan (2000-1500 b.c.) and the Mycenaean (1600--1100 b.c.). On the Hill of the castle ruins of early settlement. Notable settlements of that period were found in various locations of PAROS (Kampos, oak, Pine, Plastiras, Glifa, Faragkas). At the time of the Minoan Aegean sovereignty, PAROS becomes a large military and commercial centre of Minoan rule and colonized by Cretans. According to mythology, the head of the Cretans who settled the island are alcaeus who built the first city at the location of present-day Paroikia and gave her the honorary name Minoa (Royal City). With the gradual weakening of Minoan Crete, mainland Greece shows the power of Mycenae. PAROS relics of the Mycenaean civilization discovered in koukounaries, near Naoussa and the Hill of the Castle.

Geometric period (1100-700 BC)

At the turn of the Millennium, a group led by Arcadia Paros settled on the island and gives him the name of the head. Shortly afterwards arriving new colonists, the Ionians. PAROS is becoming a great naval power. The trade brings riches in marble island. Develop agriculture and stockbreeding.

Archaic period (700-480 BC)

Parians founded in 680 BC colony on Thassos and exploit the gold deposits of the Thracian coast. Created in PAROS famous sculpture workshops. Special boom knows the 7th century BC and poetry with the main representative lyrical poet Arhilohos considered together of Homer. In the East, a new power, the Persians.

Classical era (480 BC-323 BC)

The oligarchic power of PAROS, accepts the island the Persians and a large part of the army of the Persian fleet in campaigns against Greece. After the defeat of the Persians (480 BC), Athenian fleet led by Themistocles arrives on the island and forces PAROS to join the Athenian Alliance. Currently living and creating agorakritos and Scopas. The town of PAROS (the site of present-day Paroikia) is currently 50,000 people, wonderful buildings and temples, theater and stage. With the end of the classical period Paros becomes an ally of the Macedonians until the death of Alexander the great.

Hellenistic period (323 BC-168 BC)

The period between the death of Alexander the great until the subjugation of his successors the Romans are regrouping and season. New Kingdoms claim sovereignty in the Cyclades. For many years the Paros belongs the sovereignty of the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Roman era (167 BC – 330 ad)

PAROS and other Cyclades along with a large part of mainland Greece are the province of the Roman Empire. Inhibited growth. The island is used as a place of exile.

Byzantine era (330-1204)

Christianity spread in PAROS in the 4th century as can be seen from the remains of early Christian churches and monuments. Then it was built and the first Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, on instruction of Saint Helena. By the 10th century the Paros is at the heart of pirate raids caused extensive damage.

Venetian rule (1204-1537)

PAROS belongs to the Duchy of the Aegean (1207) and falls successively into various Venetian families. The locals work in the fields as serfs without defining the land while still plagued by pirate raids. Naoussa becomes a pirate base. The period of Venetian rule, built the castle in Parikia, Naoussa and kefalos (Marpissa).

Turkish rule (1537-1821)

With the conquest of the island by the terrible pirate Barbarossa (1537) and the devastation that followed the capital of Venetian domination to PAROS. The damaged most island is sacked by the Turks (1560). During the rwsotoyrkikwn wars (1770-1777) the Russian fleet uses the secure Bay of Naoussa as a base to prevail in the Aegean.

Modern history

PAROS takes an active part in the Greek revolution (1821). Cyclades along with the Peloponnese and mainland Greece are at the core of the free Greek State. Especially tested PAROS the period of German occupation. After the end of World War II forced the Parians emigrating initially in Piraeus and later abroad.

(PAROS in course of time as stated in the official site of the municipality of PAROS)